Japan, Nigeria advance at under-20 World Cup

Published Aug. 30, 2012 9:35 a.m. ET

foxsports

Hanae Shibata scored two goals as Japan beat South Korea 3-1 on Thursday, while Nigeria edged out Mexico 1-0 to advance to the semifinals of the women's under-20 world cup.

Shibata scored in the eighth minute to give Japan an early lead, but Jeoun Eun-ha equalized for the visitors seven minutes later at Tokyo's National Stadium.

Shibata put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute, and Yoko Tanaka extended the lead in the 37th with her fifth goal of the tournament.

Japan will face the winner of Friday's quarterfinal match between defending champion Germany and Norway on Tuesday.

In Thursday's other quarterfinal, Desire Oparanozie scored in extra time for Nigeria.

Nigeria dominated the first hour but was unable to breakthrough until Oparanozie's header from Ugo Njoku's cross in the 109th minute.

Nigeria, runner-up at the 2010 tournament, will next face the winner of Friday's quarterfinal between the United States and North Korea on Tuesday.

Mexico had a chance to take the lead, but Yamile Franco hit the crossbar with an angled free kick in the first period of extra time.